Meteorologia in Brasile, Paraguay e Misiones: due morti, grandine e forti venti

A violent storm with hail hit the province of Santa Fe, causing injuries, severe damage and several trucks being stranded along the region's roads. The weather phenomenon affected multiple areas, including parts of Brazil, Paraguay and the province of Misiones, resulting in two deaths in Brazil, widespread evacuations, material damages and disruptions to crops, homes and urban centers. Strong winds, heavy rain and hail caused roof collapses, falling trees, power lines and telephone cables, leaving several communities isolated for hours. Authorities launched emergency operations to address the situation. The storm, linked to the active El Niño phenomenon, which is currently 40% stronger than usual and approaching historical records, brought intense conditions across southern Brazil, parts of Paraguay and the Misiones province. In Brazil, the National Civil Defense confirmed two fatalities, including an eight-year-old child who died after a tree fell on him in Porto Alegre and a 72-year-old man whose vehicle was dragged away in Arroio Grande. Damage was reported in 21 municipalities of Rio Grande do Sul. Over a thousand homes were affected in the border region with Argentina and Uruguay, with more than 28 families evacuated. The municipality of Tres Palmeiras suffered the most damage. In Paraguay, strong gusts of wind caused significant destruction. The roof of Comisaría 68 in Cambyretã was torn off, and a shed in Encarnación collapsed, crushing several cars. Local authorities noted community support during the crisis, while the mayor of Encarnación, Claudio Chávez, oversaw assistance efforts. The storm also damaged structures at the Bus Terminal in Encarnación and removed roofs from several businesses in the western sector, leading to losses for merchants due to water damage. In the Misiones province, the worst impacts were recorded in Posadas, Loreto, El Soberbio and 25 de Mayo, primarily due to electrical failures and structural damage. Emergency teams deployed to assist residents affected by heavy rains, hail and strong winds, alongside power cuts, fallen trees and roof collapses. Governor Hugo Passalacqua stated through his social media account that the provincial government continues working to address the effects of the El Niño phenomenon, supporting affected families and repairing damage caused by the storm. In Santa Fe, the storm led to injuries, extensive property damage and vehicles being stuck on the roads. The exact number of injured individuals has not been officially released, though reports suggest some required medical attention. Local authorities have begun assessing the extent of the damage and coordinating recovery efforts. The storm’s impact highlights the vulnerability of infrastructure and communities to extreme weather events, especially under the influence of climate phenomena such as El Niño. As the situation stabilizes, officials continue monitoring the aftermath and planning long-term measures to mitigate future risks. The incident underscores the importance of preparedness and resilience in the face of increasingly frequent and severe weather patterns. Efforts are ongoing to restore services, repair damaged properties and provide aid to those impacted by the storm.